Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Qi Heyan felt his blood run cold. He never imagined Bai Qi would utter such words. The omega was even more…

…heartless than he’d thought.

“Bai Qi.” The alpha grew anxious. After a moment of silence, he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings. Please don’t send me away.”

“Qi Heyan.” Bai Qi pushed him away, turning his head, his breathing unsteady. “We haven’t known each other long enough for such deep feelings. You knew I hated that place—why did you agree to go?”

The omega’s eyes reddened. He bit his lip, holding back his anger. “Wen Si used to bully me. And now you want to be his subordinate, his lackey?”

“Everything here, I furnished myself. What right do you have to make me leave?” Bai Qi suddenly remembered something and pointed at the iron kettle that had recently been brought home. “That thing is yours. Take it with you.”

The omega wiped his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “Wen Si never stays in the slums for long. He’ll go to another world. Perfect—you came from there. Maybe he can even take you back, help you find your family and recover your memories.”

Qi Heyan frowned, shaking his head in denial. “No, that’s not it. I’m sorry, truly sorry.”

The alpha dropped to one knee, wanting to take Bai Qi’s hand but hesitating mid-air. In the end, he clenched his fist and let it fall to his side. Struggling for words, he finally managed, “I was too much of a chauvinist. I thought I could control everything, but I ignored your feelings. I’m truly sorry, Bai Qi. Please don’t send me away, okay?”

Bai Qi listened to his apology without an ounce of softening. To him, anyone who deceived him was bad—and Qi Heyan was just another bad alpha.

He should have known better than to pick up a stray alpha from the streets.

“Bai Qi.” Qi Heyan could think of nothing else. He grabbed the omega’s hand, refusing to let go no matter how much Bai Qi struggled. “Tell me what I can do to earn your forgiveness. I was afraid you’d get hurt. I didn’t think—I just acted. Please don’t be angry.”

“Let go of me!”

When Bai Qi couldn’t pull free, he tried kicking, but the alpha remained unmoved. Instead, Qi Heyan stood up, pinning him down. His breathing was ragged. “Just tell me—what do I need to do for you to forgive me?”

“Are you insane?” Bai Qi’s leg was pinned under the alpha’s knee. The omega trembled with fury, refusing to yield. “What are we to each other? If you want to leave, then leave. Did a few days together really mean that much to you?”

“Qi Heyan, I hate you!”

Bai Qi’s eyes burned with angry tears. He yanked his hand free and slapped Qi Heyan across the face. Using the alpha’s split-second daze, he scrambled toward the far side of the bed. “Get out!”

An omega doesn’t just let himself be pinned down. Qi Heyan was too dangerous—it made Bai Qi deeply uneasy.

“I was too rash.” Qi Heyan didn’t approach again. He stood still, controlling his breathing. The alpha blinked slowly. “Hit me all you want. If it’ll make you feel better.”

“I just want you to be happy. Without you, nothing matters.” Qi Heyan looked at Bai Qi, forcing a weak smile. “I’m so damn sorry.”

“Why wouldn’t you let me move?” Bai Qi curled further into the corner. Qi Heyan’s strength was overwhelming—sometimes he forgot the man was an alpha. “Why?”

Qi Heyan closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. “I wasn’t thinking straight. Won’t happen again.”

The alpha reached out, licking his lips. “Please, don’t hide from me.”

Bai Qi glared at him. “I don’t want to forgive you.”

“Then hit me again. Until you’re satisfied.”

Qi Heyan’s tone was firm—he meant every word. “Go on. Do it.”

“I’m not a damn sadist. Why would I hit you?” Bai Qi couldn’t follow the alpha’s logic. “I don’t vent my anger through violence.”

“Qi Heyan.” Slowly, Bai Qi moved closer. There was no trace of amusement on his face—only bitterness. “I’ve never had many friends. Hardly anyone even talks to me. But that doesn’t mean I was unhappy.”

“Being with you... I can’t deny—it was nice having someone around. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let them hurt me.”

Bai Qi cupped Qi Heyan’s face, locking eyes with him. “Even if Wen Si beat me to death, I’d never stay with him. I learned my lesson—I won’t make the same mistake twice.”

The omega had suffered enough. He didn’t want any more pain. After a few seconds of silence, Bai Qi murmured, “I’m a simple person. If I like something, I like it. If I don’t, I don’t. When you sat at that gambling table, I was terrified you’d get hurt. Qi Heyan, some things can’t be fixed with just an apology.”

Qi Heyan’s eyes reddened at the corners. He let out a quiet laugh. “I’ll change. All of it. I’ll never take you there again. I knew you hated it, and yet I—”

“Stop.”

Bai Qi slowly released him, kneeling on the bed, exhaustion washing over him. He was still sick—the emotional rollercoaster left him wiped.

The omega lowered his head. “I’m so tired. I want to sleep.”

“Wash up first. I’ll get the water hot for you.”

Qi Heyan steadied the weary omega. “I’m at your service.”

“You said the same thing at the beginning, and yet you still upset me.”

Bai Qi frowned, his gaze drifting downward—and then he froze. “Are you... hard?”

“Yeah.” Qi Heyan didn’t bother hiding it, showing no trace of embarrassment. “That slap turned me on.”

Bai Qi’s eyes widened, lips parting slightly. “You’re weird. You always get like this.”

Qi Heyan didn’t argue. Instead, he admitted, “I’m a pervert.”

“What are you going to do now?” Bai Qi’s attention shifted, tilting his head in confusion. “Doesn’t that hurt?”

“It does, but it’ll pass.” Qi Heyan wasn’t concerned, assuming it would fade on its own. He turned to fetch water, but before he could move, Bai Qi pressed a hand to his shoulder—

“Qi Heyan.”

Bai Qi’s hand drifted lower, his face blank—just curious. “You’re so hot.”

“Yeah.”

Qi Heyan tensed, unsure of the omega’s intention. “Do you want to...?”

“You’ll finish if I use my hand?”